fouts



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

F. A. FOUTS.

GHILDS SPINNING TOP.

Patented Nov. 21, 1882.

W1 TNESSES (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. I. A. FOUTS.

CHILD'S SPINNING TOP.

No. 267,865. Patented Nov. 21, 1882.

N. PETERS. Phulo-Lilhognphnr. Wnhin wn. D. C.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3'.

(No Model.)

F. A. FOUTS.

CHILD'S SPINNING TOP.

Patented Nov. 21, 1882.

' N, PETERs Phow-Lmm her. Washingmn. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

FRANK A. FOUTS, or WASHINGTON, nis'rinotr or COLUMBIA.

CHILDS SPINNING-TOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 267,865, dated November 21, 1882.

Application filed September 16, 1882 (No model.)

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Childrens Spinning-Tops, of which the t'ollowingis a specificatiomreference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to spinning-tops for children.

It consists, first, in providing a top with a circumferential groove at its lower end and a laterally-extending circumferential flange; and,second, in a cord with a hook adapted to attach said cord to the top by engagement with said groove, and a recessed button within which said hook may be concealed when not in use.

In the followingspecification the term apex is used to indicate the upper part of a top when placed as shown in Figure l of the accompanying drawings. The terms peg and plug indicate the lower side of a top as shown by deposition in said figure.

My invention has for its objects, first, a top which is adapted to be spun in the ordinary manner-i. 0., by winding a cord on its body and throwing the top from the end of the cord to the floor, whereby it is caused to spin on the point of the peg; second, a top that may be spun' gyroscopically, suspended in a hook on the end of the spinning-cord, the hook connectin g the cord and top, said hook being an tachable to or detachable from the top at pleasure; third, atop which may be spun by a cord provided with a hook, the hook being engaged in a circumferential groove at .the bottom of the top during the operation, whereby one can trail the top about the floor while it is spinning fourth, a cord provided at one end with a resilient hook and atthe other with a recessed button, the button being adapted to slide on the cord and secrete the hook,where by the cord may be quickly changed, so as to be used in the usual way, or present the book when itis desired to connect the cord and top; fifth, a top adapted to be thrown outwardly to the end of the cord and returned to the hand of the operator by a single throw, the cord being first unwound and then re'wound on the body of the top, the loose end of the cord remaining in the hand during the operation.

Prior to my invention a circumfertial groove has been made in the plug immediately under its point of intersection with the top. The object of this groove is to secure the lower wraps of the cord while said cord is being wound and while it remains in contact with the top. The circular edge around the opening in such top is necessarily quite thin or sharp, so that the cord may be wound from the groove to the body of the top. By that means the operator is enabled to wind the cord from the groove to the upper body of the top, a comparatively even and unbroken surface being presented. This form is what is known as the ordinary peg-top, and it is usually constructed with a cone-shaped wooden body and a metallic plug. The groovein this top is neitherconstructed nor adapted for the purposes of the groove shown and described as part of my invention which will more fully hereinafter-appear.

I am aware that prior to my invention tops have been constructed which were adapted to produce gyroscopic effects. I am. also aware that peg-tops have been made with a swivel in the apex thereof, towhich the cord is attached. The swivel of this top being connected thereto and being on the apex, the parts of said swivel are exposed, and therefore liable to be broken. Should this swivel-top strike on its head, the swivel would be either bentor broken; and, further, the necessarily delicate construction of the swive1,its exposed position, and the non-detachable feature of the cord render-it unserviceable for the rough usage and practice to which peg-tops are subjected. My invention differs from all of these, which will more readily appear by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 represents a side elevation, showing the topin the act of spinning after having been thrown from the cord in the usual way. Fig. 2 shows the top in the act of dropping from the hand. The hook in this; view is engaged in the groove, and the cord partially unwound. Fig. 3 illustrates the position of the top while spinning gyroscopically after the cord has been unwound from its body. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the top spinning upon the floor, the hook uniting the cord and top, the top having been previously thrown from the hand, peg downward, and the button end of the cord remaining in the band. Fig. 5 shows the cord, hook, and button in their relative positions when it is desired to engage the hook to the top. Fig. 6 is also a view of the cord, hook, and button, the latter being in section. The position of the button in this view is reversed from its position in Fig. 5. The lower end of the cord in this figure (6) is provided with a knot, while the hook on the upper end is drawn into a snug-fitting opening in the button. When it is desired to use the hook it can easily be drawn from its case and the button slid by hand to the other end of the cord, as

, the plug.

shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a plug embodying my improvements on the top proper. Fig. 8 represents in perspective the same parts with the flange detached from The detached flan go in this view resembles a washer, and when the parts are thus separately constructed they may be put togeth er by first placing the washer on the bottom of the top and then either driving or screwing the connecting part of the plug into the opening madein the top. Fig. 9 shows the manner of securing the button andcord in the hand. Fig. 10 represents abottom view of the top with the hook attached and the cord wound around the body. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a hand holding a top, the hook on the lower end of the cord engaging the circumferential groove, the cord being wound on the body of thetop and the loose end secured between the fingers by means of the button. When the parts are thus arranged and secured one may throw the top down ward perpendicularlyoroutward at about an angle of forty-five degrees,

" (not permitting the top in either case to strike down the cord and the other in dotted lines,

showing the position of the cord and top at the outward end of the cord, the top being in the act of passing around the end of the cord on its return trip to the hand. Fig. 13 represents a side view of the hand holding the button and cord in the manner shown in the preceding figure. The top is presumed to be ascending to the hand and revolving rapidly, thereby causing the cord to wind on its body. The dotted lines across the face of the top represent the'cord on the back side thereof. The top, having gone down the right-hand side of the cord, ascends on the left-hand side.

Referring to the details of construction, the letter A represents the body of the top; B, the flange; B, the shank; 13*, the peg; E the rectangular circumferential groove formed by the union of the flange, shank, and peg. O is the cord, having end knots. 'D is the hook, provided with a loop formed integral therewith, and by means of which the cord and hook are united. F. represents the button, having an opening through from top to bottom. The

opening is of different diameters, the greater diameter being adapted to receive and secrete the hook when desired, while the lesser opening, which is a continuation of the greater, is designed to fit the cord closely and prevent either of the knots or hook from passing through. For convenience side slots are cut into the larger opening in the button, so that the point of the hook may rest therein, and by means of which the hook may be easily pryed out should it catch in its socket. The button and hook are both adapted to slide on the cord at pleasure of the operator. The ends of the cord are knotted, whereby said button and hook are prevented from slipping 0d the cord.

The top herein shown and described is not only a source of amusement to a child old enough to spin it in the usual manner, but it isalsoadapted for the amusment of a child four or five years old, by whom the gyroscopic effects maybe produced, the only skill required being the ability to wind the cord about the top and then permit it to fall from the hand. In producing the gyroscopic eft'ect'it is first necessary to connect the hook and shank of the top. The cord should then be drawn upward, and the first wrap made around the body should abut against the upper face of the flange. A substantial foundation will thereby be made for the wrapped cord, and it will be protected from the hook by the intervening flange. When the cord is wound the button on the disengaged end may be secured between the fingers. Then, by allowing the top to fall gently from the hand, and not permitting it to strike the floor, a pleasing gyroscopic action is attained. In leaving the hand thetop of course descends and the cord unwinds,and its velocity and revolutions increase until it reaches the end of the cord. The force of the drop will at first cause the top to revolve with its head downward; but that, however, is almost instantly overcome by its rapid revolutions, which cause it to rise until its axis is at right angles with the distended cord, in which position it will spin in the hook for a very considerable time. When the force is increased by a rapid throwthe axis of the top will rise and extend upward to an angle of forty-five or fifty degrees from a horizontal plane. Should the top be thrown violently, and not permitted to strike the floor, it will recoil and ascend the cord and may be caught in the hand, like a return-ball.- I have, however, found that the most pleasing gyroscopic efiect is produced by holding the cord by the button and permitting the top to fall gently by its own weight from .the hand.

spinnin g, as previously set forth.

then secure the loose end of the cord between the fingers by the button, then throw the top forcibly outward and downward at about an angle of ,fort-y-five degrees or downward in a perpendicular manner, without permitting it to strike the floor. Such action will cause the cord to unwind until the top reaches the end thereof, at which point the connecting means (the hook or its equivalent) will prevent the cord and top from parting, and the top for an instant will revolve rapidly and freely in said connecting means. The force of the throw at first causes it to revolve with its head clown- Ward; but its head, however, quickly rises gyroscopically, and it recoils, throwing its flange and body in frictional contact with the cord, with which it is immediately engaged. The friction between the cord and revolving flange gives the former a winding start on the small end of the top above the flange, whereby the rapid revolutions of said top cause it to ascend the cord and return to the hand of the operator. WVhen the top is thus vigorously thrown it winds the cord around its body in the ascent, and returns to the hand with the cord partially wound, ready to be thrown again by a slight adjustment of the upper layers of cord, and the operation repeated. One may, however, by practice cause the top to re turn to the hand with the cord wholly and perfectly wound on its body. At each throw the top returns to the hand with cord wound upon its body in a reverse mannerthat is to say, the cord winds at each return on the body of the top from the small end upward; but it changes from aright to a left hand wrap or from the left to the right, acording to the mannerin which it is wound at the timeof the throw. All of which is very amusing and exciting.

In spinning the top in the manner indicated as the third object, the hook should first be attached to the shank and the cord wound around the body of the top, the lower wrap of the cord resting and abutting against the npperside of the flange. Then, by throwing the top to the floor, peg down, and holding one end of the cord in the hand by the button, the top will spin upon its peg with the hook attached, and it may be trailed about the floor while Should the cord be drawn-up while the top is yet spinning, the gyroscopic feature and efl'ect will be instantly produced. Spinning the top upon the floor with the hook attached requires a greater degree of skill and practice than the other features specified.

I do not confine myself to any particular material in the construction of my top, but prefer to employ hard wood for the body and iron or steel for the flange, shank, and peg. It must be obvious, however, that the device may be made of metal and formed integral from top to bottom without departing from the principle of my invention. The hook is preferably formed of resilient wire.

The advantages of having a wide shelf or circumferential flange are:

First. It forms the base or point of abuttal for the first wind of cord on the body of the top, and it extends out sufficiently to prevent the cord from slipping below its upper face, thereby precluding the possibility of the throw becoming frustrated from that cause.

Second. The under side of the flange forms a substantial flat and wide ceiling which completely covers the book when engaged to the shank, thereby preventing the book from catch ing and engaging the upper parts of the cord or thehand, clothing, or other objects in handling or spinning, the book being completely secreted and protected under the flange.

Third. By having the flange at right angles with the shank the friction on the hook is uniform and reduced to the minimum, the two metals of the shank and hook working freely together. By having a right-angled flat face on the upper side of the peg the frictionat that point is also redneeds.. lt will thus be seen that the shank is flanked on either side by right-angled facings, which engage and se cure the hook and give it substantial bearings.

Fourth. The upper surface of the shelf or flange forms a firm basis for the top to rest upon. The truncated under side of the top presents a considerable surface to the advantage is derived by having the shank the same diameter from top to bottom-that is to say, by having an even and uniform thickness of the shank a more rapid and longer movement is attained when-the hook is attached thereto than could be effected were the shank of varying and uncertain thickness, from the fact that such variation would increase the friction, and thereby retard the movement.

Having thus described my invention and set forth its advantages, I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A top having a truucated-cone-shaped body adapted to receive a cord by which it is spun, and provided at its lower end with a laterally-extending flange, shank, and peg, in the order specified.

2. A spinning-cord provided with a hook and button, the button being adapted to slide on the cord, whereby the hook may be placed on one end and the button on the other end of said cord, or the hook and button placed together on the same end, in combination with a top provided with a circumferential groove adapted to receive said hook, substantially as set forth.

3. A top provided with a circumfefential groove adapted to receive the end of a spinning-cord, the connecting end of said cord being provided with means whereby the top and cord may be connected or disconnected at the pleasure of the operator.

4. The combination of atop provided with acircumferential groove, a spinning-cord, and connecting means adapted to engage the groove, whereby the top is adapted to revolve in said connecting means or be disengaged therefrom at the pleasure of the operator, substantially as specified.

5. The combination of a top circumferentially grooved and a knotted spinning-cord, said cord being provided with means whereby it can be secured in said groove, said cord being also provided with a recessed button adapted to secrctethe connecting means when desired, the button and said connecting means being movable on the cord at pleasure.

'6. In a spinning-top, the body A, flange B, shank B, and peg B in combination with the hook D and cord 0, substantially as set forth.

7. In a spinning-top, the combination of the following elements: body A, flange B, shank B, peg B hook D, cord 0, and button E, substantially as specified.

S. A spinning-cord provided on one end with means whereby it can be secured to a top, and also provided with a button, said button and means being adjustable on the cord.

with a hook and on the other with a recessed button, the button being adapted to slide on the cord and secrete the hook, substantially as set forth.

10. A spinning-cord provided on one end with means adapted to engage or disengage said cord to the circumferential groove in the 12. A spinning-top having a body adapted to receive a cord by which it is spun, said top being provided on its small end with a laterally-extending circumferential flange and a circumferential groove, in combination witha spinning-cord provided with means adapted to engage the cordin the circumferential groove, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth. 1

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presencelof two witnesses.

' FRANK A. FOUTS Witnesses M. V. SMITH, AUGS. J oRpAN. 

